Paratec Next Century Tandem User manual

Next Century Tandem
Ownerʻs Manual
Century Tandem Owner‘s Manual - Issue I/1 - 2-2010 - Paratec GmbH
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Paratec GmbH
Flugplatz
66798 Wallerfangen
Germany
Fon: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Technical support: [email protected]
www.paratec.de

Content
Century Tandem Owner‘s Manual - Issue I/1 - 2-2010 - Paratec GmbH
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A word from Paratec.................................................................... 3
I. General Information..................................................................4
Name
Purpose
System Assembly
Design and Performance Specification
Operation Limitations
II. Rigger‘s Section......................................................................7
General
About Packing
Read before assembling
Inspection Table
Packing the Reserve
Closing the Container
III. Operator‘s Section................................................................17
General
About Packing
Packing the Twin and Twin Century main canopies
Brake setting on the Twin main canopies
Brake setting on the Twin Century main canopies
Inserting the main Drogue Release
Stowing the lines
Closing the main container
Connecting and folding the Drogue
IV. Maintencance Section............................................................26
Cleaning
Storage
Maintenance
Definitions
Compatibility
Spare parts list

A word from Paratec
Dear valued customer !
First of all, we like to congratulate you to your new Next Century Tandem System.
By choosing it you have shown impeccable taste.
Paratec is reknown for it‘s superiour Tandem Technology since 1993, when we
presented our first Tandem System, the Ultra Tandem.
Unlike most other brands, Paratec is one of the few manufacturers which designs and
manufactures all components in house.
Our new production facility on the Saarlouis-Düren municipal airport is one of the
most modern parachute manufacturing sites in Europe if not worldwide.
Over 30 skilled and longtime employees craft our products with the utmost care and
quality as you‘d expect it from a product which proudly bears the „Made in Germany“
label.
We are sure your new Paratec Century Tandem System will be dependably at your
service on every tandem skydive you make.
Sincerely
Eva Schuman
Managing Director
Paratec GmbH
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I. General Information
1.1.1 Name
Next Century Tandem System
1.1.2 Purpose
The Next Century Tandem resembles a dual harness parachute system, capable to fly
and land 2 persons after a predetermined parachute jump of up to 240 kg of
maximum suspended weight.
1.1.3 Parachute system Assembly
The parachute system consists of:
Main parachute
Reserve parachute
Harness / container system
Main riser with toggles (main steering toggles & flare toggles)
Free bag with reserve pilot chute and bridle
Main deployment bag
Drogue with bridle
Reserve Ripcord assembly
Cutaway handle with secondary drogue release assembly
Main drogue release handle
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1.2 Design and Performance Specifications, Operation limitations
1.2.1 Design Specifiations
1.2.2 Performance Specification (values based on MSW and projected surface area)
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Size
340
372
402
Absolute Speed in m/s
14
14
14
Horizontal Speed in m/s
13,5
14
13,5
Vertical Speed in m/s
3,5
3,5
3,5
Glide Ratio
3,9 : 1
3,9 : 1
3,9 : 1
Size
340
372
402
Planform
eliptical
eliptical
eliptical
Surface area
31 qm
34 qm
38 qm
Projected surface area
28 qm
31 qm
34 qm
Aspect Ratio
1 : 2.85
1 : 2.85
1 : 2.85
Span
9,47 m
9,98 m
10,47 m
Avg. Chord
3,38 m
3,50 m
3,68 m
Pack Volume
732 cui
820 cui
840 cui
System Weight
16 kg
20 kg
23 kg

1.2.3 Operating limitations
Size
340
372
402
Min pack opening altitude Main
1500 m
1500 m
1500 m
Min pack opening altitude Reserve*
600 m
600 m
600 m
Minimum pack opening speed
60 KTS
60 KTS
60 KTS
Maximum pack opening speed
180 KTS
180 KTS
180 KTS
Minimum suspended weight
100 kg
110 kg
120 kg
Ideal suspended weight
180 kg
195 kg
210 kg
Maximum suspended weight
205 kg
215 kg
225 kg
Operating temperatures
-55°C - 70°C
-55°C - 70°C
-55°C - 70°C
Notice:
Maximum pack opening speed is defined as the speed of the parachute
system at canopy activation and/or container opening.
Maximum suspended weight is defined as the weight of the jumper (s)
including parachute system and all auxiliary equipment attached when
exiting the aircraft.
Pack opening altitude is defined as the altitude at canopy activation and/or
container opening
Operating temperature range is defined as the ambient temperature at
parachute deployment and/or container opening.
*Notice:
When using minimum actuation altitudes, refer to the manual of
the AAD in use.
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II. Rigger‘s Section
1.General
This manual can not substitute for the knowledge and training you get in a proper
riggers course. The scope of this manual is also not to enable you to pack this reserve
parachute without any basic skills.
It is in the responsibility of every trained and licensed rigger, to assemble
inspect and pack to the manufacturers instructions, recommendations and
his best knowledge and ability before he seales and signs any pack job.
It is also in the responsibility of every user to stay within the limitations set
by the manufacturer regarding maintenance cycles, wing loading and pack
opening speeds to not endanger himself nor his fellow skydiver friends!!
This manual is rather a guideline and a source of compact information, both for the
owner, the user and the rigger.
2. About Packing
Paratec recommends the Pro Packing Method for the Twinspeed Reserve. Should you
wish to Flat Pack, this is also acceptable. The Twinspeed reserves look, handle and
pack no different than any other 9 cell reserve on the market. The Pro packing Method
is probably the most logical and efficient method of packing a reserve today.
Nevertheless, the packer should pay extra attention to the following steps:
Always keep your lines under tension, tying them together at the
connector links
clear stabilizers, perform neat S-folds, clearing all line groups
while folding the tail, make sure your steering lines stay in the centre of
the pack
split the nose part in a left and right half, keeping the center nose
exposed
seat the base of the reserve with the slider properly, so it won´t shift
match your packing (fabric distribution) to the dimensions of the
individual free bag
after the canopy is in the bag, follow the manual of the rig
manufacturer.
And most important of all: Inspect before your pack!
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3. Read before assembling
Since parachutes are manufactured and inspected by people, there is
always the possibility of human error in terms of defects. Therefore, inspect
the entire parachute system, Reserve, Harness/Container, Main Parachute
and all other functional components, before you begin to assemble, pack or
use this parachute system.
4. Inspections
To be carried out at assembly, before every repack and after emergency use
According to the manufacturer‘s regulation, every NEXT Century Tandem
Systeem and/or it‘s components must be inspected by qualified personel,
before it is used for the first time, before every reserve repack, no matter if
it was used or not and after it was handled in an improper way such as after
water jumps etc. The periodic inspection and repack cycle for this Harness
Container Sytem is 12 months. Other countries may have different
regulations, so please check with your responsible governing body.
Read the instructions in this manual completely before you begin.
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5. Inspection Table
Points of Inspection
Harness / Container
Inspect for
Main Lift web
damaged edges, velcro damage, broken stitches, ravelled
stitches
Reserve rip cord, ripcord
pocket, cable housing
tight fit in pocket, bent pin, enough excess cable, worn out
velcro, broken stitches, loose tacking on MLW and / or reserve
flap
Chest and leg straps
damaged edges, velcro damage, broken stitches, ravelled
stitches, worn out elastic keepers
Cutaway pad, drogue
release cables, cutaway
housings,
damaged edges, velcro damage, broken stitches, ravelled
stitches, worn out elastic keepers
Container flaps
broken plastic stiffeners
Grommets
sharp edges, bad or improper setting
AAD set up
according to manufacturer‘s installation, damaged cables
Main riser
velcro damage, bent rings, damaged closing loop,
hardened webbing on 3-ring, good toggle fit
Free bag and pilot chute
velcro damage, bent rings, damaged closing loop,
hardened webbing on 3-ring, good toggle fit,
Main deployment bag and
drogue
damaged grommets, old rubber bands, retract system of
drouge in good condition, closing pin ( flex pin )
Closing loops
proper length, not frayed, general contition, proper type for
AAD used
Entire hardware
rust, sharp edges, cracks, correct installation
Canopy
Links
Assure the barrel nuts are tight, not stripped or cracked.
Slider
Check for correct assembly, the fabric for weave imperfections,
the grommets for proper setting, knicks and dents.
Lines
Check for continuity, trim, burns and excessive fraying.
Check for complete existence of all bartacks.
Stabilizer Attatchments
Line Attatchments
Check for proper slack to the connecting lines, the slider stops
and for imperfections in the fabric.
Seam starts
Check for back stitches and the existence of bartacks.
Seam work
Check for loose stitches, continuity and snags.
Fabric
Check each cell (ribs, Top Skins, Bottom Skins) for
imperfections.
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6. Packing the Reserve
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Sort and flake the canopy Flake the nose 4 left - 4 right
Bring up the tail
Position the trailing edge of the
centre cell on the lines and bring
the corresponing sides of the
trailing edge around the canopy,
placing them BEHIND the
outermost cells
Extend the flakes of your nose
left and right to fully cover
the trailing edge
☞ ☞ ☜

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Close up shot of a properly
dressed nose, with the slider in
the centre and the trailing edge
behind the flaked nose
☞
Place the canopy on the floor and
dress it to the shape as in picture
above.
Please take extra care that all 4
cell noses left and right are fully
exposed and the centre cell
remains facing down
☜
Perform 1st S fold on top of the
lines
☜
Spread the dressed canopy alongside the
center seam and expose the centre cell

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Roll the centre cell down to the slider Position the free bag in front of you
Lift up the base gently and pull the
free bag underneath it. By using a
T Bodkin you can make sure the
base sits right at the spot where
the loop will pass through later on.
Bring the first „ear“ forward to sit at a 90°
angle from the base

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Perform a S fold with about one
third of the ear extending over it
Push the top end into the
corresponding side of the bag by
sliding it on top of the lower part of
your S fold towards the tip of the
bag.
Execute the same step with the
opposite side. Do not push your S
folds completely into the bag as
you will need some fabric to fill the
rear corners of the reserve
container
Roll the extending S foldes
downward and under to create the
required thickness at the lower end
to fill the corners of your reserve
container

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Close the mouth of the bag, using
the safety stow and continue with
the stowing of the lines into the
lines pocket
Should you use your Twinspeed Reserve in a different Container System than the
Next Century Tandem Container, please follow the manual of the relevant
manufacturer from this point onward.
Riggers to pack a complete Next Century Tandem System, please continue with the
next page

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To close the container, follow the pictures left to right and top to bottom
Clear all fabric from spring prior to
compressing it and dress it as seen in this
picture. It resembles a long rectangle
pointing towards the main container
1 2
3 4
5 6
Perform 3 S folds and
push them under flap No 1

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Continued form page 15
7 8
910
11

III. Operatorʻs Section
1.General
This manual can not substitute for the knowledge and training you receive in a proper Tandem
Master course. The scope of this manual is also not to enable you to operate this parachute
system without any basic skills.
It is in the responsibility of every trained and licensed operator and/or owner to pack and
operate to the manufacturers instructions and to his best knowledge and ability in the use
of this equipment.
It is also in the responsibility of every operator and/or owner to stay within the limitations
set by the manufacturer regarding pack opening speeds and maximum suspended weight
to not endanger himself nor his passenger
This manual is a guideline and a source of compact information, both for the owner and the
operator.
2. About Packing
Paratec recommends the Pro Packing Method for the Century Twin Main Canopies. Should you
wish to Flat Pack, this is also acceptable. Our canopies look, handle and pack no different than
any other 9 cell tandem main on the market. Pro Packing is a standard in parachuting today, you
therefor will not see any pictures of another folding variation in this manual.The Pro packing
Method is probably the most logical and efficient method of packing a reserve today. Nevertheless,
the packer should pay extra attention to the following steps:
Always keep your lines under tension
Clear stabilizers, perform neat S-folds, clearing all line groups
While folding the tail, make sure your steering lines stay in the centre of
the pack
Position the slider on top of the slider stops and in the centre of your
pack job.
Match your packing (fabric distribution) to the dimensions of the
individual main deployment bags
After the canopy is in the bag, follow the manual of the rig
manufacturer to close the container.
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3. Packing the Twin and the Century Twin main canopy
General:
The following pictures show you how to prepare and close the container and pack the
drogue in conjunction with a Paratec Main Canopy.
For all other main canopies used in a Next or Century Next Tandem System please
refer to the manual of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
The pictures apear in chronological order.
As they are self explaining, there are no comentaries to the pictures but rather notes
where explanation is needed. Should any step in this proceedure be not clear to you,
please feel free to contact us.
3.1 Brake setting on the Twin 340, 372 and 402
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Note!
These models only feature a
break setting on the main
steering lines !

3.2 Brake setting on the Century Twin 340, 372 and 402
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Note!
These models feature a break
setting on the main steering
lines AND the additional flare
lines

3.3 Inserting the main drogue release
3.4 Preparing the drogue riser
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Note!
Should your main elastic
keeper which is on the rear
side be worn out you can use
the secondary front one to
stow the „catʻs tongue“ of the
release
Note!
The routings of the main and
secondary drogue releases
are colour coded.
Always make sure the 2ndary
cable runs through the blue
keeper to avoid loosing the
loop